Manship Wood Fired Kitchen has been so fully absorbed into Jackson’s food community that it is easy to forget just how young they really are; November marks just 4 years since they first opened their doors. But entrepreneur and Managing Partner Steven O’Neill had a very distinct vision. He guided the restaurant’s development from day one and shaped it into such a cohesive whole that it feels as though it’s been here forever.​It started with the bar. “I wanted to have the best bar in the south,” O’Neill says. With a background in bartending and spirits, O’Neill is a “Level 1” Sommelier and a self-described “huge whisky nut.” He designed the bar himself, not only selecting every bottle and brand but also creating the layout, structure, lighting, and storage. The attention to detail is astonishing. Despite having over 1,000 bottles, there is nothing the least bit overwhelming, heavy, or cluttered about the bar’s aesthetic.